Last week I spoke at a retreat in Pennsylvania. Camp Allegheny is located one mile from where Flight 93 was downed by terrorists on September 11, 2001. In that location 40 people died on impact, including Todd Beamer, who said goodbye to his pregnant wife Lisa and their two sons, four-year-old David and two-year-old Drew, before leaving on a business trip that morning. He never dreamed it would be the last day of his life. But it was.
During this sobering visit to the memorial site, my mind swirled with the importance of living for things that will outlast our lives.
Every heartbeat is a gift from God. Every day is a chance to choose whether we will invest in what fades or build into what endures. In a world obsessed with success, possessions, and accolades, the Bible gently reminds us: “The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever” (1 John 2:17).
Living for what outlasts our earthly life isn’t about leaving behind plaques, promotions, or even perfect memories. It’s about leaving an eternal legacy.
Here are six ways we can begin building what will last forever.
1. Anchor your life in God’s Word.
When we align our lives with Scripture, we tether ourselves to eternal truth. Unlike cultural trends or personal opinions, God’s Word never expires. Isaiah 40:8 declares, “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.”
2. Invest in people, not possessions.
Homes, cars, and careers fade. Souls are eternal. Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6:19-20 to store up treasures in heaven, not on earth. Relationships outlast resumes. Mother Teresa wisely said, “At the end of life, we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by, ‘I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat…’”
3. Pass on faith to the next generation.
Psalm 78:4 urges us to “tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.” Your faith story is one of the most powerful legacies you can leave. Charles Spurgeon said, “A good character, when transmitted to our children, is the best inheritance.”
4. Cultivate a life of generosity
Time, talents, and treasures all have eternal impact when surrendered to Christ. Acts 20:35 reminds us: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Randy Alcorn wrote, “You can’t take it with you—but you can send it on ahead.” Every act of generosity sows seeds that continue growing long after we’re gone.
5. Pursue Kingdom impact over personal ambition.
Ambition isn’t wrong—but when our goals eclipse God’s glory, our labor is in vain. Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 15:58: “Stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” Jim Elliot, the missionary martyr, said, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”
6. Live with eternity in view every day.
James 4:14 compares life to a mist—brief, fragile, and passing. When eternity is the lens through which we see each choice, our values shift. Elizabeth Elliot wrote, “The secret is Christ in me, not me in a different set of circumstances.” With Christ as our focus, even small acts of kindness carry eternal significance.
Final Challenge
Friend, one day your story on earth will close. What will remain? What will ripple through generations for God’s glory? Will your children, grandchildren, coworkers, and neighbors see Jesus because of the way you loved, served, and gave yourself away?
Here’s your action step: choose one eternal investment today. Share the gospel with someone. Write a note of encouragement. Give sacrificially. Spend time in Scripture. Pray for the next generation. Each small seed matters.
Question: What’s one way you want to invest in something eternal this week? Share in the comments—I’d love to hear your heart.
I’m praying for my great nieces and nephew this morning. May they find the Lord Jesus as their savior and best friend.
I’m joining you in the prayer right now, Tracy.
Telling my family – especially my grandchildren & great grandson about
Jesus Christ and living as a child of His so we will each again see His face together
One day with alll our love ones now with
Him!! Hallelujah
What an important step to take, Marge. I’m praying for you as you Jesus with those you love so much.
I’m traveling to Springfield MO tomorrow for the ACFW conference. I want to listen more than I speak and uplift others more than I seek to be uplifted.
Suzanne–your comment is something I want to do more of, too. We all need to listen more than we speak and uplift others more than seeking their affirmation. Thank you for this!
My Dear Carol,
Your article was the affirmation that I needed to go forward in writing my Story. This reminder is exactly what I needed as I go through another trial in life but with the Lord always by my side.
Thank you for your timely writing and encouragment.
Love in Christ,
Nancy Giberson
Oh, Nancy…what an uplifting comment! You are in my prayers as you move forward with writing your story. You certainly have a powerful testimony to share.
Pursue Kingdom impact over personal ambition
Amen, Karen!
Wow! Thank you. I’ve been thinking of legacy re our 60th anniversary. This is better. Thank you.
Thanks, Dana. Our ministry theme this year is “So the Next Generation Will Know.” Legacy is so important.
Agree with all, Carol. And you set a believable example. First heard your presentation at PWOC in Germany in early 2000’s. Stayed up all night reading “When I Lay My Isaac Down” (hard copy found in my room that first day). Hope to be in the same place/same time again one day. Or see you in glory!
Hi Linda…what a privilege it was to speak to the military spouses and the many other women who gathered at that event! I’ll never forget it! Thanks, too, for your encouraging words about my book, “When I Lay My Isaac Down.” Our son has now been incarcerated for 25 years and he’s living for the Lord in a hard place. Thanks so much for your note.
As I prepare to lead our 20th Exodus Womens Retreat in a few weeks, I’m asking for prayers over the women attending…. That the words we speak leave the life and legacy of Jesus on their hearts. May we all ‘pay it forward’ for generations to come! Carol, your words couldn’t have come at a better time… thank you!
I’m praying for you right now, Robin–for a powerful time of ministry at the retreat next weekend. I know the Holy Spirit will give you the words you need as you minister to all who will be attending this event. Thank you for your faithfulness.
It was such a joy meeting you and listening to you at Camp Allegheny just two weeks after seeing you in Atlanta for the AWSA conference.
Beverly, it was my joy to meet you–and to see you twice last month! We certainly had an encouraging weekend at the retreat at Camp Allegheny! Thanks for your comment.
Excellent and encouraging words! Thank you for your leadership in reminding others of focusing on the Lord’s path. One suggestion: Elisabeth Elliot spells her first name with an “s”.
Hi Janet…thank you for your note of encouragement. Thanks, too, for the reminder about the correct spelling of Elisabeth Elliot’s name.
Preach on, sister. I am going to pray for the next generation. I have so many prodigals and pre-believers in my family including my two precious grandsons.
Thank you, Yvonne. I’m praying for your family members as I write this note. Keep sharing Jesus with them.
Carol, thank you for this very meaningful post. The only son of a very close friend of mine had a ticket on flight 93, but decided almost at the last minute to take another flight. However, we lost a friend on another flight on September 11,, AA 11, and held her funeral in our church on Cape Cod two weeks later. A sobering reminder indeed that we need to live for that which will last!
Oh, Maggie…I can only imagine what a difficult memorial service that was. Thank you for being an example of how to live for things that will outlast our lives.
Praying every day that the soul of my husband (who passed away at the young age of 61) is with the others that have gone before him
Dear Barbara…you have certainly known great sorrow, with the loss of your husband at a young age. I’m praying that God will be your comforter and that friends will surround you with love and encouragement.
First of all, thank you so much for sharing your story with honesty and hope at Camp Allegheny. Along with my regular daily Bible reading, I’ve been reading and meditating on a chapter a day from your “Unquenchable” book. I can’t tell you how encouraging it’s been for me! So much so, that I plan on leading a book study on it at the end of this month. Although I’m sure you wouldn’t have planned for certain events in your life to have turned out like they have, I can’t help but think of the multitude of women, touched by your ministry, that will greet you at heaven’s gates. (Hope that wasn’t a run-on sentence!) God bless you, your family, and your ministry.
Judy, it was a privilege to speak at the women’s retreat at Camp Allegheny. It encourages me to know that my book, “Unquechable,” is a blessing to you and I’ll be praying for you as you prepare to lead a book study on it. I’m praying that God will lead just the right people to join you.
Carol,
The message from the pulpit Sunday was exactly this that we focus on building our treasures in Heaven where moths do not destroy. My faith story is the most powerful legacy I can leave, and I travel the country sharing my miraculous story of seeing my son get run over on his snow sled and yet didn’t sustain a scratch. God spoke to me as I frantically ran up the snow-covered hill that day 1/10/1996 telling me that He saved my son’s life and that He will never leave me nor forsake me. God spoke to me 21 years later in Wal-Mart of all places! He said “For 21 years now you have been asking me how you can pay me back for saving your son’s life. Let’s get something straight today you can’t pay me back so don’t ever ask me again. But I am going to let you share this story the rest of your life and when you share it with the people you tell them that the same way you feel like you owe me something for saving your son’s life they should feel the same way towards Me because I sent my son Jesus to die on the cross to forgive them of their sins saving their lives, too, eternally”.
You have a powerful testimony, Michele. Thanks so much for sharing it.
I would love to help a neighbor who is struggling with what I have lived through in my journey with the Lord. ️
I’m praying you’ll have that opportunity, Nancy.
Wonderful words. Thank you
Thank you, Karyn.
I will keep writing my novel to the glory of God, Carol. I will continue to pray for God to make clear to me a vision of ministry He gave me a few months ago. Thank you for this reminder to think eternal!
Hi Carol,
I first herd you speak at a spiritual weekend called Speak up with confidence many years ago in Sarnia Ontario Canada and thought what a shinning example you you left us with in the LOVE of JESUS AMEN
God bless you Carol
Veronica